12 Aboriginal Art Facts

Australian Aboriginal Art Facts

Aboriginal Art is contentiously the oldest form of art in the world dating back some 40,000 years and possibly up to 60,000 years.

Whilst it may be one of the oldest forms of art in the world, commercially it is the youngest form with it only becoming commercially available in any significant manner in the early 1970’s.

Indigenous Art started as very much a male dominated niche but now artists are around 60% female.

Artlandish Gallery has been operating since 2001

Artlandish Gallery has sent Aboriginal Artworks to 37 different countries around the world.

We’ve worked with over 150 Indigenous artists directly and indirectly (when they don’t live nearby to the gallery) in those 14 years

52% of Aboriginal people list occupations in the visual arts and crafts industry as their main job. This compares to 9.7% of non-indigenous people.

It’s estimated that there is around 5000-6000 Indigenous artists in Australia.

Of Australia’s 2.6 million international cultural and heritage visitors in 2009, 57% had visited a museum or art gallery.

The most expensive piece of Aboriginal Art sold was for $2.4 million in 2007. It was called Warlugulong and was painted by Clifford Possum.

Of the top 20 highest prices obtained at auction for Aboriginal Art, the late Rover Thomas holds 8 positions making him the most successful all round Aboriginal Artist when it comes to value of artworks sold through auction.

Australia’s leading national prize for Indigenous art is The Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award. First prize is $50,000 with 5 other categories each receiving $5000 for first prize.